Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Virginia
January, February and April is the best time to see humpback whales in Virginia. Based on 66 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · Kathy Richardson CC BY
Humpback Whale · Guy Babineau CC BY
Humpback Whale · Laura Mae CC BY
66 verified observations of humpback whales in Virginia, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
January
26 records (39.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 26 | 39.4% |
| Februarypeak | 26 | 39.4% |
| March | 1 | 1.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 4 | 6.1% |
| May | 2 | 3% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 1 | 1.5% |
| September | 1 | 1.5% |
| October | 1 | 1.5% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 4 | 6.1% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 66 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Febbest time | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Virginia:
Sightings of humpback whales in Virginia peak in January, when 26 of the year's 66 verified observations are logged — about 39.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and April.
The quietest stretch is June, July and November, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for June. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Humpback Whale — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see humpback whales in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Virginia?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and April, based on 66 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Virginia?+
June is the quietest month for humpback whales in Virginia, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Virginia?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Virginia, concentrated around January and February.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Virginia